SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- AFOSR Consultant in International Science and Technology and Information and Cognitive Sciences and Technology - Request for Information
- Notice Date
- 8/11/2015
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Air Force, Air Force Material Command, AFOSR - Air Force Office of Scientific Research, 875 North Randolph Street, Room 301, Arlington, Virginia, 22203-1954
- ZIP Code
- 22203-1954
- Solicitation Number
- 999999
- Point of Contact
- Daffaney Griffin, Phone: 703-696-6220, Michelle D Nwoha, Phone: 703-588-2163
- E-Mail Address
-
daffaney.griffin@us.af.mil, michelle.nwoha@us.af.mil
(daffaney.griffin@us.af.mil, michelle.nwoha@us.af.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- This attachment contains the details and submission instructions relating to the Request for Information. Synopsis: This is a Sources Sought notice. Information is being collected from all potential sources at this time. This is NOT a solicitation for proposal, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information for planning and market research purposes only and does not constitutes a Request for Proposal (RFP), nor does it restrict the Government to an ultimate acquisition approach. This synopsis should not be construed as a commitment or payment for information by the Government for any purpose. Any submissions will be considered to be public information. Responses will not be returned. Respondents should indicate whether they are a large business, small business, small disadvantaged business (SDB), woman-owned small business (WOSB), 8(a)-certified business, service-disabled veteran-owned small Business (SDVOSB), veteran-owned small business (VOSB), or Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone). The North American Industry classification System (NAICS) code for this action is 541990. All prospective contractors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database to be awarded a contract. No set-aside decision has been made. Additionally, firms having GSA schedules should indicate their GSA schedule number in their response. Description: •1 The purpose of this contract is to obtain the services of a U.S.-based Global Sciences and Information and Cognitive Sciences and Technology Consultant to support AFOSR (Arlington, VA) and International Office (IO) (Arlington, VA; London, UK; Tokyo, Japan; Santiago, Chile). •2. AFOSR is seeking to get information from a world-recognized consultant for fundamental research programs, who is an expert in many fields of information and cognitive sciences and technology and who has substantial experience at working with federal research agencies and with the international academic research community. To promote efficiency utility of the consultant's output, a single consultant is sought. The individual shall be tasked/contracted to accomplish four primary missions: (1) scientific liaison and technology assessment throughout the world, from the perspective of fundamental research, in the fields of cognitive scientists, information sciences, information technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, mathematics, human-machine interfaces, advanced hardware for information systems, and the related fields of modeling and simulation and nanoscience and nanotechnology; (2) scientific liaison with the broad Air Force research community, which includes other U.S. funding agencies, in order to elicit its needs, to communicate results from AFOSR, and to attract funds for investing in foreign research; (3) consultation within AFOSR in research relevant to autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, human-machine trust and performance, and high-performance devices for information systems; (4) service on expert panels and committees that are tasked with assessment and planning of the future of AF research. •3. The following are specific objectives of this acquisition: a. Discovery To identify opportunities for Air Force investment, the contractor shall study relevant technical publications, visit (as appropriate) research institutions, and attend technical conferences. The contractor shall identify researchers and institutions in which the Air Force may wish to invest. He or she shall complete all documentation needed to bring about visits or direct financial investment. Duties may include discovery work through conference attendance, literature survey, and personal contacts for all of the three regions; organizing, leading, and conducting workshops on an as-needed basis for new areas of information and cognitive science that bring together scientists from all three international regions with U.S.-based scientists; working with International Program Offices at IO and Program Officers at AFOSR to elicit from foreign researchers proposals for funding, and serving on evaluation panels for support of international cooperative research and development throughout the world b. Technical Strategy Strategic planning: Work with AFOSR Program Officers in strategy development for various programs, to include identifying opportunities for investment, gaps in current programs, emerging or disruptive technologies, and processes to pursue specific goals. c. Technology Transition The contractor shall provide briefings to senior AF personnel and develop liaison and technical reports for distribution. The contractor shall make his or her expertise available to AF scientists and engineers by initiating and promoting technical liaison. For example, the contractor may arrange visits by foreign researchers to selected Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) locations and arrange research visits by AF scientists and engineers to appropriate Asian research organizations. The contractor shall engage U.S. funding agencies, to explain IO's mission and to identify opportunities for mutual funding or other means of co-support. d. Spokesperson The contractor, while under contract, shall act as the principal consultant for IO in the fields of cognitive sciences, information sciences, information technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, mathematics, human-machine interfaces, and advanced hardware for information systems. Other subjects within the purview of the contractor include nanotechnology and modeling and simulation. These duties require a high degree of skill in both oral and written communication, including the ability to speak authoritatively before a wide variety of audiences, significant management and research experience, and the ability to relate harmoniously and effectively with individuals of different cultures and educational backgrounds. e. Subject-Domain Expert The contractor shall, when requested, (1) provide evaluations of proposals submitted to AFOSR and (2) serve on panels that have been charged with assessing the current status of various aspects of the AF's research effort and the recommend future courses of action. f. Special Projects The contractor shall, when instructed, conduct studies on specific subjects of research or technological status of a region that may be throughout the world. g. Documentation and Reports The contractor must prepare written reports. All analyses, recommendations, and consultations shall be documented in writing and the reports history kept in applicable project file folder(s), which will remain the property of the USAF in the event of a contract termination. Formatting for the documentation shall be provided by the IO office. 4. The following are additional areas of knowledge and experience required to perform the work: •a. Knowledge of and experience in technical management of foreign-based and domestic AF-relevant science and technology offices, including having substantial professional ties in Asia, Europe, South America, and Australasia. •b. Knowledge of and experience within the broad fields of cognitive and information sciences, expertise in information technology, autonomous systems (including human-machine teaming), and knowledge of and experience in the specific fields of artificial intelligence, robotics, and mathematics, within both the United States and overseas, and earned at least one professional degree, including having at least one degree in the subject. •c. Knowledge of and experience specifically with the AFOSR and IO organizations, their management systems and personnel, and the contents of their programs is preferred, but not required. •d. Knowledge of and experience in interacting with personnel in U.S. funding agencies, especially those within the AFRL, the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. •e. Knowledge of and experience with the broad foreign-based and domestic AF-relevant research, technology, and business communities. •5. Other requirements: •a. High degree of skill in both oral and written communication; ability to perform analysis, facilitation and preparation of oral and written responses, often with tight time constraints. •b. High degree of analytical skill and knowledge of principals, methods, and techniques of program analysis; ability to gather, assemble and analyze facts, draw conclusions and develop and articulate solutions to complex issues and problems. •c. Ability to relate harmoniously and effectively with individuals of different cultures and educational backgrounds. •d. Ability to handle multiple topics and priorities that shift from day-to-day. INFORMATION SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS 1. Interested sources are requested to provide a concise capability statement for this requirement that clearly provide details on the firm's capability to perform the work. The capability statement for this requirement shall address the following areas: •· Relevant experience to perform the described requirement functions •· Ability to meet performance metrics; •· Demonstrated understanding of requirement; •· Your level of interest in this requirement (e.g., as a prime, subcontractor, or joint venture partner). •· Experience with similar program •2. In addition, you may provide comments/recommendations regarding the draft Statement of Work (SOW). •3. All questions/inquiries must be submitted in WRITING through email or by mail. For technical questions, contact the Program Officer Dr. Kenneth Goretta at kenneth.goretta@us.af.mil and copy Michelle Nwoha at michelle.nwoha@us.af.mil and Daffaney Griffin at daffaney.griffin@us.af.mil on all correspondence. Contractual concerns may be addressed to Daffaney Griffin, Contract Specialist, daffaney.griffin@us.af.mil and carbon copy Michelle Nwoha at michelle.nwoha@us.af.mil. •4. Final responses to this Sources Sought Notice should be submitted electronically in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) or Microsoft Word format. All responses must be forwarded to Contract Specialist, Daffaney Griffin at daffaney.griffin@us.af.mil not later than 25 Aug 2015 5:00 pm EST COMMON CUT-OFF TIME/DATE: Electronically submitted tailored capability statements are due no later than 25 Aug 2015 5:00 pm EST. CAPABILITY STATEMENTS RECEIVED AFTER THIS DATE AND TIME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
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